The Ninth Bride (Samantha and Finley)

Chapter 263 What's Making You Smile?

As Edward glimpsed the car shaking, he turned away, his face flushed with awkwardness. The fervor of the young seemed boundless these days.

...

The following morning, Samantha and Finley stirred from their slumber inside the car. Samantha's body was a tapestry of aches as she noticed Finley still holding her close. She reached for her phone, her eyes widening in alarm. "It's 8 a.m. Finley, I'm going to be late for class!"

Finley merely hummed softly, tightening his embrace. His expression betrayed no hint of worry about her looming tardiness, and made no move to release her.

She sighed in exasperation. "Finley, I'm serious. I need to get home to change and freshen up. You have to take me."

Finley leaned in and brushed a tender kiss across her cheek. "Sam, it's the weekend."

Really?

Samantha checked her phone once more, and indeed, it was the weekend.

There was no longer any need for haste.

Playfully, she lifted her leg and pressed it against Finley's body. "Finley."

"Hmm? Still looking for more?"

Samantha's eyes widened. "No way! Doing that sort of thing in broad daylight in a car? Imagine if someone saw us-it would be mortifying!"

Finley raised an eyebrow, his tone teasing. "So, does that mean it's permissible at night?"

His playful banter made Samantha's cheeks flush crimson.

"You're talking nonsense. That's not what I meant at all."

"Sam, you're blushing."

Embarrassed, Samantha turned her gaze away. "I'm just warm, that's all. It's not me blushing."

Finley chuckled at her response and affectionately ruffled her hair. "Are you hungry?"

Samantha huffed. "I haven't eaten since last night and not this morning either. What do you think? Of course, I'm hungry. Finley, you're becoming increasingly thoughtless." Thoughtless?

"I'll admit, I could be more considerate. To make up for it, I'll cook for you myself."

Samantha's eyes sparkled with amusement. "Is that so?"

"Get dressed. We're heading home."

Samantha glanced at the tattered remnants of her clothes. With a serious look, she asked, "My clothes are ruined. What am I supposed to wear now?"

"Wear mine."

"And what about you? Are you going to go without clothes?"

Finley grinned. "I'm a man. It doesn't matter if I'm dressed or not. But you're a woman. If you don't wear something, people will talk."

He had a point.

Samantha quickly donned his

clothes, noting that all the buttons had disappeared. She turned back to Finley, eyes narrowing. "Why are you so rough? You've ruined my clothes and now yours too."

"I couldn't unbutton it quickly enough, so I tore it off."

Samantha couldn't say anything to that. "Finley, I'm beginning to see... you're quite wasteful."

He laughed softly. "Worried about the expense? Or are you afraid I won't be able to buy new clothes?"

She clicked her tongue. "Probably both."

"Sam, are you saying I'm wasteful?"

"Is it that obvious?"

"Yeah, very."

Samantha adjusted the shirt she was wearing and said, "I suppose I'll be a bit more restrained then." She couldn't help but chuckle at her own words.

"What's making you smile?"

Samantha raised her hand and playfully pinched Finley's cheek. "I'm smiling because you're so cute." After the pinch, she looked at him and said, "Let's go home."

"Alright."

Finley dressed in his pants and started the car. They drove home together.

Upon arrival, Samantha quickly clutched the shirt she was wearing and hurried toward the house.

Meanwhile, Finley emerged from the car with deliberate calmness. His chiseled abs and the defined V-line of his torso were boldly on display. He nonchalantly donned his mask

as if nothing unusual had occurred.